The Analysis of Emojis and Identities In The Comments Section on Instagram @Ussfeed: From Semiotics to Cyberpragmatics

Authors

  • Muhamad Hilal UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang
  • Ribut Wahyudi Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18326/jopr.v7i1.132-156

Abstract

This study aims to explore the role of emojis in expressing users' political identity in @ussfeed's Instagram comment section, focusing on the types of emojis used, their linguistic functions, and the representation of socio-political identity. Using a qualitative approach, this study integrates Berger's (2010) semiotic theory and Huddy's (2001) Social Identity theory and enriches its analysis with a cyberpragmatics perspective (Yus, 2011) to examine comments related to political issues in the January- April 2024 period. The results reveal that emojis play an important role in enriching textual meaning by adding visual and emotional dimensions, with icons as the most dominant emoji type that reflects various semiotic functions in conveying literal, contextual, and abstract meanings. From a cyberpragmatics perspective, emojis function as a means of digital identity construction where users strategically choose certain emojis to express political affiliation (ingroup) while differentiating themselves from other groups (outgroup). This research provides valuable new insights into how emojis have become an effective communication tool in the digital age while highlighting their role in identity formation in online public spaces and their impact on social interaction and self-representation in the digital world. At the end of this article, the author adds limitations of research and suggestions for future research.

Author Biographies

Muhamad Hilal, UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang

Muhamad Hilal is an English Literature student at the Faculty of Humanities, UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang, with research interests in linguistics, especially semiotics. Currently, he is researching the analysis of emoji and identity in the comment section on Instagram @ussfeed. During his time as a student, he was active in various organizations, including as a member of the English Literature Department Student Association in the Information and Communication Department, as well as the Faculty of Humanities Student Executive Board in the Social Department. He is also active in general student activities such as literature discussions, writing workshops, and self-development. He is committed to continuing to develop himself both academically and personally through linguistic exploration and active participation in the academic community.

Ribut Wahyudi, Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang

Ribut Wahyudi Ph.D. is an Associate Professor and the Head of English Literature Study Program at Faculty of Humanities, UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang, Indonesia. His works have appeared in Palgrave Macmillan (2016; 2017), Multilingual Matters (2021; 2023), Springer (2021; 2023), Routledge (2018; 2022; 2024) and Changing English and Intercultural Education in 2023. He is also a regular invited reviewer for Asian Englishes (Routledge) and invited reviewer for American Association for Applied Linguistic Conference 2023 and 2025. Email: ribut@bsi.uin-malang.ac.id, http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7124-1678.

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Published

2025-03-27 — Updated on 2025-04-10

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How to Cite

Muhamad Hilal, & Ribut Wahyudi. (2025). The Analysis of Emojis and Identities In The Comments Section on Instagram @Ussfeed: From Semiotics to Cyberpragmatics. Journal of Pragmatics Research, 7(1), 132–156. https://doi.org/10.18326/jopr.v7i1.132-156 (Original work published March 27, 2025)

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 1 (2025): Journal of Pragmatics Research

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Muhamad Hilal, Ribut Wahyudi

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